THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1911. DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 1037, 18 August 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1911. DAYLIGHT SAVING.

On the first blush, there would appear to be a good deal to recommend the proposals contained in the Bill Introduced, .by. aVIr Sidey, the second reading OT'-which was earned in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, providing for the putting on cif the clocks of the Dominion for an hour in the summer months. The primary objeot is, of course, to ensure for athletes and others a longer period in the afternoons for recreation. To emphasize the neceesalty of change so radical, and so fraught with difficulties, one must assume that the time, afforded for recreation at present is altogether inadequate. In view of 1 the fact that a half-holi-day in .every week is* already provided for recreation, such an tion is unreasonable, The .passing otf the Bill under notice would also argue that the afternoon is the only time .that the average man can claim for recreation. The man who is an enthusiastic gardener, or an expert angler, or a swimmer for that matter, will dismiss such a contention as irrational- There are numerous forms of recreation) .which can be .more conveniently taken in the morning than in the afte.-ncon. it would seem that the object of Bill is to cater for the cricketer, and the howler, and the lawn tennis, player, to the disadvantage of all other forms of sport. From the ipoint of view of the reading public, a grave injustice will be imposed upon, the morning newspapers through the cable service being affected. It is .questionable, also, whether evening entertainments will not be crippled. When the clocks are put on an hour, the theatrical or other performances will start in broad daylight, or be continued so late in the night that patrons will -find it impossible ,to get to work at the earlier period of the day provided under the Act. The sundial will, of course, be. a thing ■of the past. One cannot help thinking that Parliament might be much more profitably employed than in discussing legislation which is designed to revolutionize the habits of the. people without a sufficient cause. The Bill of Mr Sidey, if it is allowed to pass, will inflict irreparable injury in -some directions, without .providi»g

anything like a compensating advantage. Tli© trade of this country is already being seriously encroached upon by the insatiable lust for sport; and if the demands of a few hun«dred cricketers and tennis players are conceded, there is no knowing where the thing will end.